These stats show where we must improve

[Bobhaze]

What does this team need to do to get back to being a real contender for a deep playoff run?
Let’s look at the stats for both offense and defense and where improvements must happen.

DEFENSE CURRENT STATS: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:

• Ranked 3rd in QB hurry % at 12.4 %. (The Parsons impact)
• Ranked 6th in Turnovers with 23. Averaging almost 2 per game. This is where the defense is making the most impact.
• Ranked 12th in rushing defense, giving up 111 yds per game. Definitely better than average.
• Ranked 14th in points per game with 22.3. Just above the league average.

Weaknesses- unfortunately there are a ton:

• Ranked 32nd in YAC with over 1,800 yards after catch, nearly 500 yds above league avg.
• Ranked 30th in number of games with at least one 100 yard receiver-7.
• Ranked 29th in yards per play with a whopping 5.9.
• Ranked 29th in yards per reception with 12.4.
• Ranked 27th in passing defense at 261 yards per game. (League avg is 235)
• Ranked 22nd in sacks with 26. (League avg is 27) Remarkable that Parsons has almost half our sacks.

The defense has certainly improved from a year ago, but not as much as many think. The TOs probably have covered up many of the warts still on this D.

OFFENSE- Strengths:

• 3rd in scoring avg 29.4 ppg.
• 3rd in total offense yards 416 yds per game.
• 4th in passing yds 287 ypg.
• 5th in total first downs.
• 6th in rushing yds 129 ypg.
• 13th in red zone scoring %- 61%.

OFFENSE Weaknesses:

• 17th in 3rd down conversion rate- 40.1%.
• 25th in 4th down conversion rate- 44%.

The offense has not been great lately. Especially on 3rd down conversions. Probably because the 1st and 2nd down plays haven’t been working setting up 3rd and long.

BOTTOM LINE- the stats don’t always tell the whole story. But it’s still clear- the offense is not the team’s biggest problem. THE PROBLEM THAT MOST NEEDS IMPROVEMENT IS THE DEFENSE.

 

[Mk2_Cowboys]

Really good post.

 

[Captain43Crash]

What does this team need to do to get back to being a real contender for a deep playoff run?
Let’s look at the stats for both offense and defense and where improvements must happen.

DEFENSE CURRENT STATS: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:

• Ranked 3rd in QB hurry % at 12.4 %. (The Parsons impact)
• Ranked 6th in Turnovers with 23. Averaging almost 2 per game. This is where the defense is making the most impact.
• Ranked 12th in rushing defense, giving up 111 yds per game. Definitely better than average.
• Ranked 14th in points per game with 22.3. Just above the league average.

Weaknesses- unfortunately there are a ton:

• Ranked 32nd in YAC with over 1,800 yards after catch, nearly 500 yds above league avg.
• Ranked 30th in number of games with at least one 100 yard receiver-7.
• Ranked 29th in yards per play with a whopping 5.9.
• Ranked 29th in yards per reception with 12.4.
• Ranked 27th in passing defense at 261 yards per game. (League avg is 235)
• Ranked 22nd in sacks with 26. (League avg is 27) Remarkable that Parsons has almost half our sacks.

The defense has certainly improved from a year ago, but not as much as many think. The TOs probably have covered up many of the warts still on this D.

OFFENSE- Strengths:

• 3rd in scoring avg 29.4 ppg.
• 3rd in total offense yards 416 yds per game.
• 4th in passing yds 287 ypg.
• 5th in total first downs.
• 6th in rushing yds 129 ypg.
• 13th in red zone scoring %- 61%.

OFFENSE Weaknesses:

• 17th in 3rd down conversion rate- 40.1%.
• 25th in 4th down conversion rate- 44%.

The offense has not been great lately. Especially on 3rd down conversions. Probably because the 1st and 2nd down plays haven’t been working setting up 3rd and long.

BOTTOM LINE- the stats don’t always tell the whole story. But it’s still clear- the offense is not the team’s biggest problem. THE PROBLEM THAT MOST NEEDS IMPROVEMENT IS THE DEFENSE.

The Offense is getting worse!
The Defense is getting better!

Both, and the coaches, need to be prepared vs Washington.

 

[reddyuta]

the YAC number is unacceptable.going forward we might see more Micah at Lb on majority of the snaps because the rest of the LBs are worthless.

 

[Bobhaze]

The Offense is getting worse!
The Defense is getting better!

Both, and the coaches, need to be prepared vs Washington.

Not true. The defense has been slipping slowly all year. The offense has certainly slumped lately. But I still believe the offense is the strength of this team. Both need to improve and can with the return of several key players.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

Remember how Beasley would always seem to pick up the first on third downs. Remember all of those 12 play scoring drives in 2016. I say we're missing that Beasley type of player on third and shorts.

As far as the defense goes...when was the last time we had a reliable defense? We always need some upgrades on that side of the ball. No LVE next year and Joseph Bossman starting should help us out some.

 

[RaZon]

That was great, BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!

That took some time and effort major props!

 

[Beast_from_East]

What does this team need to do to get back to being a real contender for a deep playoff run?
Let’s look at the stats for both offense and defense and where improvements must happen.

DEFENSE CURRENT STATS: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:

• Ranked 3rd in QB hurry % at 12.4 %. (The Parsons impact)
• Ranked 6th in Turnovers with 23. Averaging almost 2 per game. This is where the defense is making the most impact.
• Ranked 12th in rushing defense, giving up 111 yds per game. Definitely better than average.
• Ranked 14th in points per game with 22.3. Just above the league average.

Weaknesses- unfortunately there are a ton:

• Ranked 32nd in YAC with over 1,800 yards after catch, nearly 500 yds above league avg.
• Ranked 30th in number of games with at least one 100 yard receiver-7.
• Ranked 29th in yards per play with a whopping 5.9.
• Ranked 29th in yards per reception with 12.4.
• Ranked 27th in passing defense at 261 yards per game. (League avg is 235)
• Ranked 22nd in sacks with 26. (League avg is 27) Remarkable that Parsons has almost half our sacks.

The defense has certainly improved from a year ago, but not as much as many think. The TOs probably have covered up many of the warts still on this D.

OFFENSE- Strengths:

• 3rd in scoring avg 29.4 ppg.
• 3rd in total offense yards 416 yds per game.
• 4th in passing yds 287 ypg.
• 5th in total first downs.
• 6th in rushing yds 129 ypg.
• 13th in red zone scoring %- 61%.

OFFENSE Weaknesses:

• 17th in 3rd down conversion rate- 40.1%.
• 25th in 4th down conversion rate- 44%.

The offense has not been great lately. Especially on 3rd down conversions. Probably because the 1st and 2nd down plays haven’t been working setting up 3rd and long.

BOTTOM LINE- the stats don’t always tell the whole story. But it’s still clear- the offense is not the team’s biggest problem. THE PROBLEM THAT MOST NEEDS IMPROVEMENT IS THE DEFENSE.

Excellent post, it really does show that the defense is still very much a work in progress.

 

[RS12]

Regarding the defensive pass numbers: Despite the interceptions I read that Diggs had allowed most yards of any CB by a lot. Love the turnovers but he has to tighten some stuff up.

 

[RS12]

Oh and if you are allowing 6 yards per play it is a wonder the defense ever gets off the field.

 

[Bobhaze]

Regarding the defensive pass numbers: Despite the interceptions I read that Diggs had allowed most yards of any CB by a lot. Love the turnovers but he has to tighten some stuff up.

The secondary and LBs also must improve their tackling. Diggs obviously has made some big interceptions which has been huge but he’s also made a few “business decision” tackles and made too many gambles on passes that led to big yardage. Sadly, LVE has been a terrible tackler this year. I don’t know what has happened to that guy but he’s mostly trying to tackle people 10 yards downfield.

Tackling is a fundamental this team must improve.

 

[jwooten15]

Great post, OP! some really solid research there

 

[Jfconrow]

it didn’t help that Lawrence and Greggory where out, that Bohanna has shown nothing, and the only other LB LVE is barely showing anything. Diggs is playing awesome but has so many penalties it’s costing the team plus Joseph hasn’t shown up yet. Brown is sketchy in coverage. The whole defense is still coming into its own. Osi can play which really helps. I’m not sold on the safety play but really I think it’s the dline that needs to stay healthy and prob add another DE next year and another DT. Dallas will have to upgrade the LBs as well. All in all they are doing good and it’s a long season.

 

[youngjerryjones]

the YAC number is unacceptable.going forward we might see more Micah at Lb on majority of the snaps because the rest of the LBs are worthless.

that number and the other number of 7 100yrd receivers stood out...secondary is still suspect

 

[reddyuta]

that number and the other number of 7 100yrd receivers stood out...secondary is still suspect

defintely.without those turnovers we are still not good .

 

[BourbonBalz]

The secondary and LBs also must improve their tackling. Diggs obviously has made some big interceptions which has been huge but he’s also made a few “business decision” tackles and made too many gambles on passes that led to big yardage. Sadly, LVE has been a terrible tackler this year. I don’t know what has happened to that guy but he’s mostly trying to tackle people 10 yards downfield.

Tackling is a fundamental this team must improve.

No doubt the tackling has been terrible at times. I’ve noticed we take horrible angles far too often, which can lead to poor tackling. Fundamentals on both side of the ball need to improve.

 

[buddieluver]

The secondary and LBs also must improve their tackling. Diggs obviously has made some big interceptions which has been huge but he’s also made a few “business decision” tackles and made too many gambles on passes that led to big yardage. Sadly, LVE has been a terrible tackler this year. I don’t know what has happened to that guy but he’s mostly trying to tackle people 10 yards downfield.

Tackling is a fundamental this team must improve.

‘Saints game LVE played 39 snaps and only had 1 assist on a tackle.

 

[Qcard]

What does this team need to do to get back to being a real contender for a deep playoff run?
Let’s look at the stats for both offense and defense and where improvements must happen.

DEFENSE CURRENT STATS: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:

• Ranked 3rd in QB hurry % at 12.4 %. (The Parsons impact)
• Ranked 6th in Turnovers with 23. Averaging almost 2 per game. This is where the defense is making the most impact.
• Ranked 12th in rushing defense, giving up 111 yds per game. Definitely better than average.
• Ranked 14th in points per game with 22.3. Just above the league average.

Weaknesses- unfortunately there are a ton:

• Ranked 32nd in YAC with over 1,800 yards after catch, nearly 500 yds above league avg.
• Ranked 30th in number of games with at least one 100 yard receiver-7.
• Ranked 29th in yards per play with a whopping 5.9.
• Ranked 29th in yards per reception with 12.4.
• Ranked 27th in passing defense at 261 yards per game. (League avg is 235)
• Ranked 22nd in sacks with 26. (League avg is 27) Remarkable that Parsons has almost half our sacks.

The defense has certainly improved from a year ago, but not as much as many think. The TOs probably have covered up many of the warts still on this D.

OFFENSE- Strengths:

• 3rd in scoring avg 29.4 ppg.
• 3rd in total offense yards 416 yds per game.
• 4th in passing yds 287 ypg.
• 5th in total first downs.
• 6th in rushing yds 129 ypg.
• 13th in red zone scoring %- 61%.

OFFENSE Weaknesses:

• 17th in 3rd down conversion rate- 40.1%.
• 25th in 4th down conversion rate- 44%.

The offense has not been great lately. Especially on 3rd down conversions. Probably because the 1st and 2nd down plays haven’t been working setting up 3rd and long.

BOTTOM LINE- the stats don’t always tell the whole story. But it’s still clear- the offense is not the team’s biggest problem. THE PROBLEM THAT MOST NEEDS IMPROVEMENT IS THE DEFENSE.

Wow!
GREAT POST!!

 

[DuncanIso]

the YAC number is unacceptable.going forward we might see more Micah at Lb on majority of the snaps because the rest of the LBs are worthless.

we need better play at S too.

 

[CWR]

What does this team need to do to get back to being a real contender for a deep playoff run?
Let’s look at the stats for both offense and defense and where improvements must happen.

DEFENSE CURRENT STATS: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:

• Ranked 3rd in QB hurry % at 12.4 %. (The Parsons impact)
• Ranked 6th in Turnovers with 23. Averaging almost 2 per game. This is where the defense is making the most impact.
• Ranked 12th in rushing defense, giving up 111 yds per game. Definitely better than average.
• Ranked 14th in points per game with 22.3. Just above the league average.

Weaknesses- unfortunately there are a ton:

• Ranked 32nd in YAC with over 1,800 yards after catch, nearly 500 yds above league avg.
• Ranked 30th in number of games with at least one 100 yard receiver-7.
• Ranked 29th in yards per play with a whopping 5.9.
• Ranked 29th in yards per reception with 12.4.
• Ranked 27th in passing defense at 261 yards per game. (League avg is 235)
• Ranked 22nd in sacks with 26. (League avg is 27) Remarkable that Parsons has almost half our sacks.

The defense has certainly improved from a year ago, but not as much as many think. The TOs probably have covered up many of the warts still on this D.

OFFENSE- Strengths:

• 3rd in scoring avg 29.4 ppg.
• 3rd in total offense yards 416 yds per game.
• 4th in passing yds 287 ypg.
• 5th in total first downs.
• 6th in rushing yds 129 ypg.
• 13th in red zone scoring %- 61%.

OFFENSE Weaknesses:

• 17th in 3rd down conversion rate- 40.1%.
• 25th in 4th down conversion rate- 44%.

The offense has not been great lately. Especially on 3rd down conversions. Probably because the 1st and 2nd down plays haven’t been working setting up 3rd and long.

BOTTOM LINE- the stats don’t always tell the whole story. But it’s still clear- the offense is not the team’s biggest problem. THE PROBLEM THAT MOST NEEDS IMPROVEMENT IS THE DEFENSE.

If you were to pull stats over the last 5 games or so I would wager its less flattering for the offense. The defense appears to be coming on while the offense is falling off.